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Archive for 'April 2014'

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2014 — Officials from the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services, along with other industry experts, will discuss health care fraud compliance and enforcement developments and recent litigation during the American Bar Association’s 24th Annual National Institute on Health Care Fraud from May 14-16 in San Francisco.

CHICAGO, May 1, 2014 — The American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section will honor Carole D. Smith of Winnetka, Ill., with its Kirsten Christophe Memorial Award for Excellence in Trial and Insurance Law. The award recognizes TIPS members who demonstrate expertise in an area of trial practice or insurance law and personify the exemplary attributes of its namesake, a former TIPS council member who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and who excelled in balancing career, profession and family in life and practice.

The American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section will honor Christian D. Searcy of West Palm Beach, Fla., with its Pursuit of Justice Award, which recognizes lawyers and judges who have shown outstanding merit and who excel in providing access to justice for all.

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2014 — The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division today announced that Jessica Koester of Crescent City Junior/Senior High School in Crescent City, Fla., has won its fourth annual Law Day Art Contest for single entry and that Priscila Miramontes and Berwo Mberwa of Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy in Denver won first place in the group submission category.

CHICAGO, April 30, 2014 — In light of the botched execution of Clayton Lockett on Tuesday night in Oklahoma, the American Bar Association renews its call that every jurisdiction that imposes capital punishment implement policies and procedures that ensure that death penalty cases are administered fairly, impartially and in accordance with due process.

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2014 — The American Bar Association’s Minority Counsel Program brings together diverse lawyers from across the country for a three-day conference that covers topics such as the Schuette decision on affirmative action and diversifying corporate boards, government legal offices and the judiciary May 14-16 in Washington, D.C.

With this year’s May 1 observance falling on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, the American Bar Association is focusing on the importance of a citizen’s right to vote and the work that remains to protect that right for every American.

More than 350 attendees representing 49 states and the District of Columbia converged on Capitol Hill for ABA Day 2014, the American Bar Association’s annual effort to advocate for the legal profession and access-to-justice issues.

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2014 — Sherri Bevan Walsh, prosecutor for Ohio’s Summit County, will bring Avery II, the county’s facility dog, to a discussion of how Avery helps victims and witnesses overcome the fear of being in a criminal case during the luncheon session at the American Bar Association “Bridging the Systems” conference.

CHICAGO, April 25, 2014 – The president of the American Bar Association is urging the Republican Governors Association and its chair, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, to retract its new video ad that attacks a South Carolina gubernatorial candidate for the criminal defense work he performed earlier in his career.

As the nation approaches the 50th anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, the focus of the American Bar Association’s Law Day events on May 1 will stress the importance of the right to vote in our democracy.

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2014 — As the nation approaches the 50th anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, the focus of the American Bar Association’s Law Day events on May 1 will stress the importance of the right to vote in our democracy.

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2014 — Robert L. Listenbee Jr., administrator of the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, will discuss DOJ’s Defending Childhood initiative, the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention and the Community-Based Violence Prevention program during the “Confronting Family and Community Violence: The Intersection of Law and Psychology” conference hosted by the American Bar Association Commission on Youth at Risk and the American Psychological Association.

WASHINGTON, April. 25, 2014 — As the global meeting on the future of Internet governance, Net Mundial, draws to a close, Internet experts will speak on “The Future of Internet Governance” at an American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security breakfast program on Monday, April 28, at the University Club of Washington DC.

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2014 — Twenty high school students from across the nation had a behind-the-scenes view of the law, government and justice system in the nation’s capital recently as participants in the American Bar Association’s 4th Annual National Civics and Law Academy March 9-13.

CHICAGO, April 24, 2014 — The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility has issued a formal opinion that guides a lawyer’s review of the Internet presence of a juror or prospective juror during and before a trial.

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2014 — The American Bar Association welcomes today’s announcement that President Obama intends to extend clemency to some prisoners who have suffered decades of unequal and unfair disparities in sentencing.

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2014 — Asia is the new antitrust frontier, with the rapid emergence of Chinese enforcement as well as cross-border enforcement by established agencies and new regimes across the continent. “Antitrust in Asia: China” will present high-level discussion and debate on key developments and unique opportunities to interact with top policymakers May 21-23 in Beijing.

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2014 — Denny Chin, a federal judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, and Harvard Law School Dean Martha L. Minow will be among the featured speakers at the American Bar Association Spring 2014 National Legal Malpractice Conference. The conference offers programming on legal liability issues and developments.

Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, says that the CFPB was created to protect consumers and ensure that they have access to credit, among its goals. Cordray further discusses the CFPB and its rulemaking process in this clip that presents highlights of his remarks.

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2014 — The American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law and Section of International Law have submitted joint comments on the Brazilian Administrative Council of Economic Defense’s Public Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Brazilian Merger Regulation.

CHICAGO, April 21, 2014 — Hundreds of lawyers from across the nation will gather in Portland, Ore., to discuss pro bono and legal aid issues at the Equal Justice Conference, sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and the National Legal Aid & Public Defender Association.

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2014 — The American Bar Association Business Law Section recently honored Judge Jean FitzSimon, a U.S. bankruptcy judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with the Jean Allard Glass Cutter Award, which recognizes an exceptional female business lawyer who has made significant contributions to the legal profession and the section.

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo.,receives the American Bar Association Congressional Justice Award for his continued support of access-to-justice concerns, including funding the Legal Services Corporation, and for his opposition to a pending tax proposal that would burden lawyers and law firms.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, receives the American Bar Association Congressional Justice Award for his efforts to combat human trafficking and for his leadership on the reauthorization of the Second Chance Act.

CHICAGO, April 17, 2014 — Attorneys at all levels of practice will gather to exchange ideas with some of the most successful professionals in the legal industry at the first-ever American Bar Association Joint Spring Meeting on nontraditional delivery of legal services May 1-3 in Las Vegas.

My Health Care Wishes, a new mobile application from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging, lets users store and distribute health care advance directives such as their living will and health care proxy via their smartphone. The free “Lite” version of the app provides storage for one person’s information, while the advanced “Pro” version, available for $3.99, allows for storage of multiple profiles.

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2014 — In a letter to the Atrocities Prevention Board, American Bar Association President James R. Silkenat commended the Obama administration for issuing a new directive on U.S. arms exports and suggested the board conduct a review of such exports to ensure that U.S.-origin weapons do not inadvertently contribute to atrocities. The ABA also applauded the inclusion of specific human rights protections in the new directive on U.S. arms transfers.

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2014 — The 2014 Spring Meeting and 9th Annual State and Local Procurement Symposium of the American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law and the Section of Public Contract Law will address a wide range of hot topics in state and local procurement procedures, including bid protests and false claims April 24-27 in Asheville, N.C.

First lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of the vice president, announced on April 11 a new effort to support caregivers of military service members and veterans as part of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative. Through a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the American Bar Association, Military Officers Association of America and Center for Veterans Advancement, in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, have created one-stop legal resource for military caregivers.

The lawyers participating in a recent American Bar Association webinar were no strangers to bullying. All participants said they had experienced bullying in their life, and more than half said they had bullied someone else. Their responses re-enforced the message of the program’s panelists: Bullying is a widespread problem, and action needs to be taken to address the issue.

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2014 — My Health Care Wishes, a new mobile application from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging, lets users store and distribute health care advance directives such as their living will and health care proxy via their smartphone. The free “Lite” version of the app provides storage for one person’s information, while the advanced “Pro” version, available for $3.99, allows for storage of multiple profiles.

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2014 — American Bar Association President James R. Silkenat has sent a letter to Barnabas Dlamini, prime minister of the kingdom of Swaziland, expressing concern over the pending contempt of court prosecutions of human rights activist Thulani Maseko and editor Bheki Makhubu.

The patent system in the United States has evolved for the better during the past couple of years, according to a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office official speaking at the American Bar Association’s 29th Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference last week in Arlington, Va.

Whether large or small, a law firm should follow the same best practices as other businesses to avoid or minimize employment law and other human resource complaints, experts said at a recent American Bar Association-sponsored panel discussion.

Lawyers find it’s harder than ever to stay ahead of the competition. To help, business strategist Kaihan Krippendorff, author of “Outthink the Competition,” shared advice for thriving in today’s legal marketplace during his keynote speech last month at the American Bar Association 2014 Bar Leadership Institute.

CHICAGO, April 9, 2014 — The American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar today released data on law graduate employment outcomes for the class of 2013. The data covers the employment status of the 2013 graduates of ABA-approved law schools as of Feb. 15, 2014, approximately nine months after spring 2013 graduation.

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2014 — People diagnosed with cancer must contend with a variety of legal issues related to employment, end-of-life decisions and insurance, among others. An upcoming series of webinars, sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Breast Cancer Task Force, provides guidance on the legal rights of cancer patients, with valuable information on relevant laws, litigation and legal documents.

CHICAGO, April 8, 2014 — The legal community is notorious for generating paper — and lots of it. But lawyers can save time and money by transitioning to a paperless office. “Paperless in One Hour for Lawyers” will show even the most committed paper devotees how to run their law offices digitally.

CHICAGO, April 8, 2014 — The difference between a successful presentation and an unsuccessful one can often be traced to a presenter’s use — or misuse — of PowerPoint. “PowerPoint in One Hour for Lawyers” offers practical advice for creating effective presentations quickly and easily. PowerPoint expert and attorney Paul J. Unger will help readers avoid mishaps and develop compelling presentations using storyboarding techniques.

CHICAGO, April 8, 2014 — The best-selling American Bar Association book “iPad in One Hour for Lawyers” has helped thousands of lawyers learn to use the iPad in their law practices. Fully revised and updated to reflect the newest versions of the iPad and the latest apps available,“iPad in One Hour for Lawyers, Third Edition,” will help attorneys get more out of their iPad. Ideal for lawyers who want to get up to speed fast, this acclaimed book presents the essentials so that readers don’t get bogged down in technical jargon and extraneous features and apps.

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2014 — Elizabeth Andersen, executive director and executive vice president of the American Society of International Law, has been named director of the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, effective Sept. 8.

CHICAGO, April 4, 2014 — The opening of baseball season this week undoubtedly will trigger a wave of media stories commemorating the 25th anniversary of Major League Baseball’s decision to ban perennial star Pete Rose for life for gambling.

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2014 — The 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry is the largest gathering of construction lawyers in the world. This year’s three-day program features more than 20 substantive sessions across a wide range of ongoing topics in construction law involving project issues.

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2014 – The vast amount of money flowing through our campaign system has contributed to the public’s deep and growing cynicism about the integrity of our electoral process. Federal and state lawmakers have long recognized this concern by enacting reasonable campaign finance laws that provide transparency and limit campaign donations.

The American Bar Association will honor a lawyer, a law professor and a state supreme court justice with its annual Grassroots Advocacy Award during a reception at the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery on April 8.

The American Bar Association will present four members of Congress with its annual Congressional Justice Award to recognize their leadership on issues critically important to the legal profession. The honors will be conferred during an April 9 reception and dinner at the United States Institute of Peace.

For lawyers who aspire to become published authors, the process of getting a book into print can seem daunting. But the recent American Bar Association webinar “Getting a Book Published and Marketed: Legal Issues, Tips and Tactics” provides would-be authors with valuable information on the pros and cons of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing, how to create a brand for your book and legal issues related to publishing.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 — Mark E. Sullivan, principal of the Sullivan & Tanner law firm in Raleigh, N.C., will receive the American Bar Association’s Grassroots Advocacy Award on April 8 for his outstanding support of military service members and their families.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 — Stephen A. Saltzburg, the Wallace and Beverley Woodbury university professor of law and co-director of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Program at The George Washington University Law School, will receive the American Bar Association Grassroots Advocacy Award on April 8 for his outstanding efforts in support of some of the association’s most important policy positions as they relate to criminal justice.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 — Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, will receive the American Bar Association’s Congressional Justice Award on April 9 for his efforts to combat human trafficking and to help individuals released from prison.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., will receive the American Bar Association’s Congressional Justice Award on April 9 for her efforts to improve the justice system by fighting discrimination and supporting comprehensive immigration reform.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 — David E. Gilbertson, chief justice of the Supreme Court of South Dakota, will receive the American Bar Association Grassroots Advocacy Award on April 8 for supporting the independence of the judiciary and expanding, in cooperation with the State Bar of South Dakota, access to justice for those in rural communities.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 — Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., will receive the American Bar Association’s Congressional Justice Award on April 9 for his continued support of access to justice, including funding for the Legal Services Corporation, and for his opposition to tax proposals that would burden law firms and personal service businesses.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 — Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., will receive the American Bar Association’s Congressional Justice Award on April 9 for his work to make the legal system more accessible to low-income people as well as his dedication to improve the American justice system.

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 — Even Hollywood needs lawyers. Or perhaps we should say, Hollywood especially needs lawyers. Legal issues abound in LA — from the daily drama of the Hollywood business deal to a celebrity’s fight to protect her image to the effects of gay marriage — and the American Bar Association will examine all these topics at the Business Law Section Spring Meeting.

CHICAGO, April 1, 2014 — Larry Walker Jr., a native of Perry, Ga., and a former Georgia general assemblyman, will receive the American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division’s 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes solo and small-firm attorneys who are widely accepted by their peers as having significant lifetime distinction, exceptional achievement and distinction in an exemplary way.

CHICAGO, April 1, 2014 — The American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division will honor the State Bar of Nevada with its Solo and Small Firm Project Award, which recognizes bar leaders and associations for their successful implementation of a project or program specifically targeted to solo and small-firm lawyers.

CHICAGO, April 1, 2014 — The American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division will honor the Mississippi College School of Law with its Solo and Small Firm Trainer Award, which recognizes attorneys who have made significant contributions to educating lawyers or law students regarding the opportunities and challenges of a solo and small-firm practice.

Attendees at the American Bar Association’s TECHSHOW 2014 Conference and Expo on March 28 in Chicago took a break from sessions on cloud computing, Mac versus PC and other tech topics for lawyers to hear keynote speaker Rick Klau, a lawyer-turned-partner with Google Ventures, a venture capital company associated with the Internet giant of the same name.

CHICAGO, April 1, 2014 — A fresh approach to marketing is imperative for law firms and lawyers to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. The American Bar Association Law Practice Division’s fourth biannual Law Firm Marketing Strategies Conference will feature sessions with leading marketing experts speaking on the latest strategies, ethics opinions and business development solutions.